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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs April 22 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Cabinet Approvals on April 18, 2026
On 18th April 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government employees and pensioners, and also cleared railway multitracking projects worth Rs 24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Andhra Pradesh (AP).
Key Details of Approval:
2% DA and DR Hike: DA and DR have been raised from 58% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension applicable from 1 January 2026, following the previous revision from 55% to 58% in July 2025.

• The revision follows the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) and aligns with the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC).

Two Railway Projects:

• Project 1: The Ghaziabad–Sitapur line in UP, has a route length of 403 km and track length of 859 km with a cost of Rs.14,926 crore.
• Project 2: The Rajahmundry–Visakhapatnam line in AP, has a route length of 198 km and track length of 458 km with a cost of Rs.9,889 crore.

Govt expands list of eligible destinations under RELIEF amid West Asia situation 
In April 2026, the Government of India(GoI) expanded the scope of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation(RELIEF) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), by adding Egypt and Jordan to the list of eligible destinations.

• This move aims to support Indian exporters in tackling logistics disruptions and rising costs arising from the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia.

Key Updates of RELIEF Scheme:
Policy Clarification: Through a Policy Circular dated April 15, 2026, the GoI clarified the scope of Component II of the RELIEF, related to Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) insurance support.

• It stated that exporters obtaining a fresh Whole Turnover Policy on or after March 16, 2026 will also be eligible, thereby enhancing clarity and encouraging wider participation, especially among new policyholders.

Government Response: These measures reflect the GoI’s continuous assessment of evolving trade and logistics conditions and its commitment to addressing challenges faced by exporters by expanding RELIEF’s geographical coverage across the extended West Asia and North Africa corridor.
Impact: The expansion is expected to strengthen export resilience, sustain trade flows, and support Indian exporters in navigating ongoing geopolitical and logistics uncertainties.

MHA receives Indigenously Developed Satellite Imaging System ‘Prajna‘ for real-time security support 
In April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) received an indigenously developed satellite imaging system ‘Prajna’, aimed at enhancing the real-time decision support for the security agencies.

• Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) officially handed over the satellite imaging system to Govind Mohan, Secretary of MHA, at a ceremony held at Kartavya Bhawan-3 in New Delhi, Delhi.

About Prajna:
Developed by: Prajna, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled system, was developed by Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), DRDO.
Significance: The new satellite imaging system is expected to play a significant role in monitoring sensitive regions, tracking suspicious activities and supporting counter-terrorism and border management efforts.

India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park to be set up in Ladakh 
In April 2026, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, laid the foundation stone for India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park on the banks of the Indus River at Sindhu Ghat in Leh, Ladakh coinciding with World Heritage Day(April 18, 2026).
About Petroglyph Conservation Park:
Objective: The park aims to conserve centuries-old petroglyphs that are increasingly threatened by unregulated tourism, rapid infrastructure development, and lack of awareness.
Purpose & Access: It will house petroglyphs relocated from vulnerable sites across Ladakh, ensuring their preservation while making them accessible to visitors through a curated and educational setting.
Institutional Collaboration: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for scientific conservation, with a focus on education and research.

India Launches First Advanced 3D Glass Chip Packaging Unit in Odisha 
On April 19 2026, Odisha hosted the groundbreaking ceremony of Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions (Three dimensional(3D) Glass Solutions), India’s first advanced glass semiconductor packaging unit, at Info Valley, Khordha district, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister(CM) of Odisha, graced the ceremony in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY).

About Advanced 3D Glass Chip Packaging Unit:
Developer: The project is being implemented by 3D Glass Solutions Inc. (3DGS), the United States of America(USA), through its wholly owned Indian subsidiary Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions Private Limited (HIPSPL).
Investment: The project involves a total outlay of approximately Rs. 1,943.53 crore, supported by both Central Rs. 799 crore and State fiscal incentives of Rs. 399.5 crore under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
Production Capacity: Once operational, the unit is projected to produce 70,000 glass panels, 50 million assembled units and around 13,000 advanced 3D Heterogeneous Integration (3DHI) modules annually.
Timeline: Commercial production is slated to begin by August 2028, with full-scale volume production targeted for 2030.
Applications: The chips will cater to key sectors such as aerospace, defence, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G technologies, and data centres.

C-DOT Signs MoU with Jumps Automation to Develop Gamified Cybersecurity Platform
In April 2026, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an autonomous R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jumps Automation LLP under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Programme (CCRP) to develop an innovative gamification-based cybersecurity awareness platform.
Key Details of MoU
Signatories: The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), C-DOT; Rohan Chandak, Head of Technology, Jumps Automation LLP, in New Delhi, Delhi.
Objective: The partnership aims to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and preparedness through an engaging and interactive training platform.
Technology Base: The platform will combine Jumps Automation’s AI and automation expertise with C-DOT’s telecom and security technologies and will be deployed as a commercial-grade Software as a service(SaaS) solution.
Platform Features: The platform includes a gaming arena, leaderboards, learning management system, discussion forums, and simulation-based scenarios covering phishing, social engineering, malware response, and crisis management under time constraints.

MoMA Signs MoU with IIT Patna under PM VIKAS to Train Minority Youth
In April 2026, the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna(Bihar) under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme to promote skill development among minority youth.

• The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Neha Giri, Director, MoMA and Prof. T. N. Singh, IIT Patna in New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The initiative aims to improve employability and create placement opportunities for minority youth through technology-driven, modern skill development interventions.
Scope: The initiative will train 600 minority youth from Bihar, Patna, in emerging roles such as Artificial Intelligence(AI) Technocrat and Business Analytics Executive.
PM VIKAS Scheme: The PM VIKAS scheme, launched in 2024 by MoMA, aims to promote skill development and entrepreneurship among minorities by focusing on modern, market-relevant skills through technology-driven training to ensure better employment outcomes.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI Targets ‘Balance-sheet size of 25% of India’s GDP by 2030’ 
In April 2026, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), set the target to expand its balance-sheet to about 25% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, from existing 20%.

• SBI also aims to increase its market share by 1% in each of the 800 districts in the country in Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27).

Key Findings:
Customized Strategies: As per plans laid out by the bank, each district will be considered as a distinct growth unit with strategies customized to local opportunities.
SBI’s Balance Sheet: It consists of capital (including tier-I and tier-II capital and reserves and surplus) and liabilities (deposits, borrowings, and other liabilities and provisions).
Current Status: As on December 31 2025, bank’s balance-sheet stood at Rs 71.62 lakh crore.

• Also, total business of the bank was at Rs 103.29 lakh crore, including deposits (Rs 57.01 lakh crore) and advances (Rs 46.28 lakh crore).
• In addition, SBI’s market share in deposits and advances stood at nearly 22% and 20%, respectively.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

UN Report: India’s economy projected to grow at 6.4% in CY26, 6.6% in CY27
In April 2026, the United Nations (UN)Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released its latest report titled “Economic and Social Survey of Asia and Pacific 2026: Socioeconomic Prosperity Amid the Transition to an Environmentally Sustainable Economy”, projecting India’s economy to grow at 6.4% in Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) and 6.6% in CY27.

• The report further highlighted that economies in the South and South-West Asia region witnessed a growth rate of 5.4% in CY25, compared to 5.2% in CY24, mainly attributed to robust growth in India.

Key Details:
India’s Inflation: The latest Survey has projected India’s inflation at 4.4% in CY26 and 4.3% for next year.
Top 3 Countries in Greenfield FDI: As per the ESCAP’s latest survey, India (USD 50 billion), Australia (USD 30 billion), the Republic of Korea (USD 25 billion) and Kazakhstan (USD 21 billion), were among the countries that attracted the largest share of greenfield FDI in the 1st three quarters of CY26.
Remittances: The report noted that about 40% of remittances in India and the Philippines are used for essential spending, including medical expenses, of recipient households.

• However, the report projected that India, the world’s largest remittance recipient in 2024, could face a sizable loss as the United States of America (USA) has imposed a 1% tax on all remittances since January 2026.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

NHA Concludes Chintan Shivir 2026 on AB PM-JAY and ABDM in Pune; Awards Excellence to States and UTs
In April 2026, the National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), concluded a two-day Chintan Shivir (thought-sharing session) on Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in Pune, Maharashtra.

• During the event, NHA recognized outstanding implementation of health schemes by honoring States and Union Territories (UTs) with 18 awards under AB PM-JAY and 5 awards under ABDM.

About Chintan Shivir:
Participation: Senior officials from the Centre, States, and UTs participated in discussions focused on enhancing healthcare delivery through digital systems, interoperability, data analytics, and governance reforms.
Best Practices Showcased by States: Karnataka introducing an online referral system for better resource use and data-driven decisions, Gujarat improving clinical governance through digital verification and monitoring, and Jharkhand enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services at Sadar Hospital, Ranchi.
Digital Health Initiatives: Demonstrations of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX)-enabled Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) showcased interoperable digital infrastructure that streamlines claims processing and enhances efficiency.

• The World Bank (WB)-developed ABDM State Adoption Index provides a data-driven framework to benchmark States/UTs on registries, adoption, usage, and budget utilization.

Former MP Santosh Kumar Honoured as ‘Global Green Icon’ at World Climate Leaders Conclave in UK
In April 2026, Joginapally Santosh Kumar, a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament(MP) and prominent environmentalist, was conferred the ‘Global Green Icon’ during the World Climate Leaders Conclave 2026 held at House of Lords in London, the United Kingdom(UK).

• The award recognizes his pioneering role in the success of the Green India Challenge, mobilizing millions of citizens through massive afforestation and ecological restoration efforts.

About Santhosh Kumar:
Profile: He is a prominent Indian politician and environmentalist.
Parliamentary Role: He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), representing Telangana in 2018.
Key Initiatives: He is the founder of the Green India Challenge(GIC, 2018), one of the world’s largest citizen-led afforestation movements, and also serves as the Chairman of the Igniting Minds Organisation.
Commonwealth Presentation: In April 2026, he presented the ‘Green India model’ to the Commonwealth Secretariat as a scalable template for 56 member nations to achieve the United Nations(UN) Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
Books: He has authored notable works including Vriksha Vedam 2.0 and Wings of Passion.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Apple Named John Ternus as Next CEO; Tim Cook to Step Down
In April 2026, Apple Inc.,n American multinational technology company, officially announced that John Ternus, the current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective September 1, 2026.

• He will succeed Tim Cook, who will step down as CEO and continue as Executive Chairman, overseeing policy and long-term strategy.

About John Ternus:
Early Life: He began his career at Virtual Research Systems, working on early virtual reality headsets, which later influenced his involvement in advanced products like Vision Pro.
Joining Apple:He joined Apple Inc. in 2001, led the first iPad’s design in 2010, became Vice President in 2013 overseeing major products, drove the shift to Apple Silicon, and rose to Senior Vice President in 2021, reporting to Tim Cook.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Titagarh Naval Systems Launches Fourth DSC A23 for Indian Navy
In April 2026, Titagarh Naval Systems Limited (TNSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited(TRS), launched the 4th Diving Support Craft (DSC A23, Yard 328), on the Hooghly River for the Indian Navy (IN) during a ceremony held in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).

• The ceremony was conducted by Deepa Sivakumar, spouse of B. Sivakumar, Vice Admiral of the IN.

Key Details:
Background: This newly launched DSC is a part of a 5-vessel series being developed under the Government of India (GoI)’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Design: 30-meter (m)-long DSCs, designed as catamaran-type vessels, are equipped with advanced indigenously sourced systems to support the IN’s Command Clearance Diving Teams (CCDTs).

SPORTS

Aronyak Ghosh Becomes India’s 95th Chess Grandmaster
In April 2026, Aronyak Ghosh, from Kolkata, West Bengal (WB), became India’s 95th Grandmaster (GM) after securing his third and final GM norm at the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club(BCC) Open 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand.

• At the event, he scored an unbeaten 7/9 to tie for first place with a performance rating of 2584, having earlier earned GM norms at the Sants Open (2023) and Annemasse Masters (2024).

About Aronyak Ghosh:
Ratings: Aronyak Ghosh has a peak Elo rating of 2555, a live rating of 2541, and a current standard rating of 2533 with a world ranking of 401.
Achievement: Aronyak Ghosh won a bronze medal at the Under-16 World Youth Championship (2019) and notably defeated Hans Niemann (American GM) in the same year.
Titles: Aronyak Ghosh became National Rapid Chess Champion in March 2026 and secured third place with Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) B team at the National Team Championship 2026.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Liver Day 2026 – April 19
World Liver Day (WLD) is observed annually on April 19 worldwide to raise awareness about liver health and promote prevention and management of liver-related diseases.

• 2026 Theme: “Solid Habits, Strong Liver”

Background:
Launch: WLD was first launched in India in 2019 to raise awareness about rising liver disease cases.
Expansion: The day expanded into a global observance in 2023 by major international liver health organisations, which are now jointly urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to formally recognise April 19 as WLD worldwide.
Collaborating Organisations: Key global bodies involved include the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL); Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Asociacion Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Higado (ALEH), and Society on Liver Disease in Africa (SOLDA).

UN Chinese Language Day 2026 – April 20 
The United Nations (UN’s) Chinese Language Day is annually observed across the globe on April 20 to promote multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal use of the six official languages of the UN, coincided with the 80th anniversary of the UN Chinese Translation Service.

• 2026 Theme: “Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World”

Background:
Establishment: The observance was established in 2010 by the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), formerly the Department of Public Information, to celebrate the rich heritage of the Chinese language and promote its use across UN duty stations worldwide.
First Observance: The inaugural UN Chinese Language Day was held on November 12, 2010.
Change of Date: Since 2011, it has been observed annually on April 20, aligning with Guyu and the legacy of Cangjie.
Significance of the Date : April 20 coincides with Guyu (“Rain of Millet”), the 6th solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar.

National Civil Services Day 2026 – April 21
National Civil Services Day is observed across India on 21st April to recognize the role of civil servants in governance and encourage renewed commitment to public service, citizens’ welfare, and administrative excellence.

• 2026 Theme: “Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile”

Background:
Establishment: Government of India (GoI) formally established National Civil Services Day in 2006, with the first celebration held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi by Manmohan Singh.
Date significance: GoI selected 21 April to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1947 address at Metcalfe House, Delhi.
2026 Events: The 18th Civil Services Day 2026 was held on April 21 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with Vice President (VP) C. P. Radhakrishnan as Chief Guest, during which the Prime Minister’s (PM’s) Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2025 were conferred to recognise outstanding governance by civil servants, districts, and organisations.

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